Wedge.



No. 824,415. PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906. H. E. DENISON a H. H. BLAKE.

WBDGE.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.s. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@wif By WITNESSES UNTED STATES PATENT orricn.

HARRY E. DENISON AND HENRY H. BLAKE, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK.

WEDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1906.

Application filed October 3, 1904. Serial No. 227,054.

To all whom, it muy concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY E. DENrsON and HENRY H. BLAKE, citizens of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vedges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wedges, and has for one of its objects to provide a self-anchoring wedge of simple, inexpensive, durable, and efficient character.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a wedge of such form 1or construction that it will successively wedge wood or like material solidly or tightly within surrounding surfaces, the device being particularly adapted to secure handles of tools in such manner as to obviate accidental separation of the handle from its socket. j

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a peculiarly-shaped wedge designed to be driven into the end of a tool-handle under such peculiar wedging action as to force or to spread the fibers of the handle in different directions or planes, thereby insuring a positive fastening of the tool with respect to its handle.

Vhile the invention is particularly applicable to the fastening of tool-handles, it is equally capable of use in all lines of manufacture wherein it is desirable to force the wood outwardly against surrounding surfaces and at the same time to firmly secure within the wood the wedge which performs this function, and therefore while the description herein refers particularly to the application of the invention to the class of articles to which it is especially applicable it is to be understood that we desire to cover in this one application various forms of wedges for use in any connection in which the same might be found useful.

ith these and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a pers ective view of a hammer, partly in section, il ustrating the anchorage of one form of wedge in its working position as applied to a hammer. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the anchorage of another form of wedge in its working position as applied to a hammer. Figs. 3 to 20, inclusive, illustrate various forms of' wedges embodied in our invention. Figs. 21 and 22 are front elevations of wedges formed in accordance with our invention. Fig. V23 is a perspective view of a still further form of our improved wedge. Fig. 24 embraces top plan views a, b, and c, illustrating the manner in which the edges of any one or all of our improved wedges may be formed; and Fig. 25 embraces side or edge elevations d and e, illustrating the manner in which one or all of the wedges may be formed with respect to the edges and also the extremities of the wedges. Fig. 26 is a detail perspective view of another embodiment of the invention designed particularly for the substitution of a railroad-spike. Fig. 27 is another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, the reference characters 1 and 2 designate, respectively, a handle and hammer, it being understood, however, that while a hammertool is herein illustrated it is not intended to limit the field of use of the improved wedge to tools or devices of any particular character, for it is obvious that it is expedient to positively secure ax-heads, hatchet-heads, andv other tool-heads to their handles, and, as premised in the foregoing, to fasten Wood within surrounding material in other articles of manufacture and that the present invention is one capable of efficiently fulfilling such oice in various articles. The wedge (illustrated in Fig. 1) consists of a head portion 3, having depending prongs 4, 5, and 6, the outer prongs being arranged at the ends of the head portion 3, and the intermediate prong 5 terminating short of the outer prongs, the outer edges of the outer prongs tapering slightly downwardly, as shown. The wedges in these two illustrations being alike in form, it will be observed that the lower ends of the outer prongs 4 and 6 are turned or otherwise directed inwardly toward each other at their lower ends, forming oppositely-disposed enlargements, offset portions, or projections 7, each having a shoulder or edge 8 designed to co erate with the corresponding tapering or inc ined edge 9 of the shorter or intermediate prong 5. By reason of this peculiar forma- IOO IIO

placement;

tion of thelower ends of the prongs the fiber of the wooden handle 1. or other article is spread as the wedge enters the same, the tapering or inclined portions of the intermedithe ike 8 of the aforesaid offset portions or projections of the outer prongs to spread the fibers of the wood upwardly and outwardly, and then by reason of the straight inner edges 10 and the outer edges 11 of the intermediate prong upwardly in substantially a vertical plane in the space between the intermediate and outer prongs, the said shoulders and the inclined or tapering portion of the intermediate prong bighting into or binding upon the fiber therebetween, securely retaining or anchoring the wed e against accidental dis- In view of the taper upon the outer edge faces of the outer prongs the wooden fibers of the handle or the like and the surrounding inner surfaces of the bore or eye of the tool or other article are spread and wedged tightly therebetween, as clearly shown in the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 14, it will be observed that a somewhatdifferent form of wedge is presented. In the form of wedge hereinbefore described there is but a single binding action upon the wooden fibers of the handle but in the form about to be described a double binding effect upon the wooden fibers is provided for-for instance, the outer prongs 12 and 13 are arranged at the ends of the head-piece 14 and are of greatest length than the intermediate prong 15. It will be observed that the intermediate prong is enlarged, as at 16, the said enlargement forming the projecting shoulders 17 and 18 and tapering downwardly into a sharp edge by reason of the converging or inclined edges 19, which latter cooperate with the corresponding shoulders 20 and 21 of the enlargements or offset portions 22 of the outer prongs, while the projecting shoulders 17 and 18 of the intermediate prong cooperate with the inclined inner edges 23 and 24 of the outer prongs. In the form first described the inner edges of the outer prongs are illustrated as being straight or parallel from the shoulders 8 to the head portion 3; but in the form being now described the inner edges of the outer prongs are straight throughout a portion of their length, as at 25, and inclined throughout the other portion thereof, as at 23 and 24, toward the intermediate prong. By reason of this double inclined and shoulder feature of this particular form of wedge the inclined ate prong cooperating with the shoulders or fibers, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 present views 'very similar in form to the construction of Wedge illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the only difference residing in the formation of the lower ends of the outer prongs. For instance, in Fig. 4 the inner edges 26 of the enlargement 27 taper or incline toward the other edges of the outer prongs, whereas in Figs. 1 and 3 the corresponding edges of the enlargements of the outer prongs are substantially parallel with the outer edges of the prongs, as clearlyshown in the drawings. In Fig. 5 the enlargements 28 of the outer prongs taper, as at 29, inwardly toward the substantially straight inner edges 30 thereof. In Fig. 6 both the inner and outer edges 31 and 32, respectively,

of the enlargements 33 taper inwardly toward each other, meeting in an edge or point, as clearly illustrated..

In Fig. 7 there will be seen a wedge very similar to the wedge illustrated in Figs. land 3, the only difference residing in the fact that the outer edges 34 of the outer prongs 35 taper downwardly from the head portion 36 to the extreme lower ends of the enlargements 37, whereas in Figs. 1 and 3 the outer edges of the outer prongs 4 and 6 taper -very little, if any.

In Fig. 8 the, illustration shows a form of wedge wherein great similarity is manifest therebetween and the wedge illustrated in Fig. 4, the only difference residing in the fact that the outer edges 37 of the prongs 38 of the wedge in Fig. 8 incline to a greater degree or extent than the outer edges of the outer prongs in Fig. 4, which latter incline very little, if any, being formed, preferably, on a substantially perpendicular line with respect to its inner edges.

In Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 we have illustrated wedges very similar in form to the wedge shown in Figs. 2 and 14. In all these figures are illustrated forms wherein the double binding action upon the wooden fibers is obtained, the only material difference residing in the formation of the enlargements at the lower ends of the outer prongs to provide pointed or knife edges whereby the wedge may be driven easily home into its working position. In view of the description hereinbefcre given of the other forms of wedges it seems unnecessary to enter more into detail with regard to the different features to which attention has just been called with reference to wedges illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive.

In Figs. 15 to 20, inclusive, it will be observed that the intermediate prong is not employed, and referring more particularly to Fig. 15 it will be seen that the prong-S39 and 40 depend from the outer ends of the headpiece 41, the prong 40 terminating short of the prong 39, the lower end of the latter be- IOO IIO

ing provided with an enlargement 42, having inclined portion 46, designed to cooperate with the shoulder 47 of the opposite prong 48 above the cooperation of the shoulder 49 with the inclined portion 50 of the prong 48. In Fig. 17 the prongs 51 and 52 depend from the head-piece 53 at the edges of the latter and are of the same length, the outer and inner edges of the prong 52 converging downwardly toward each other and resulting in a point or knife-edge, as shown, the inner tapering edge 54 of the prong 52 being so formed as to coperate with the shoulder 55 of the enlarged portion 56 of the prong 51. In Fig. 18 there is illustrated a form of wedge very similar to the form of wedge shown in Fig. 16, the only difference residing in the fact that the outer prong 56 of the wedge in Fig. 18 is of the same length as its correspondingV prong 57, the two prongs being formed in such a manner as to provide for the double gripping, pinching, binding, or like effect upon the wooden fibers of the handle or other article, as should now be clearly understood without further description. A description, in view of the foregoing, seems entirely unnecessary in connection with the form of wedge illustrated in Fig. 20, attention being called to the fact, however, that in this particular form of'wedge the same result is obtained as in the form illustrated in Fig. 18 and that the lower extremities of the prongs in Fig. 20 are preferably in the form of a knife-edge 58, whereas in Fig. 18 the extremities of the prongs 56 and 57 are pointed. In Fig. 19 the prongs 59 and 60 are of the same length and depend from the outer ends of the head-piece 61, the shoulder 62 of the enlargement 63 coperating with the inclined portion 64 of the wedge 60 to provide for the gripping or binding effect upon the wooden fibers.

In Figs. 21 and 22 there are illustrated forms of wedges very similar in construction. In both of these forms'three prongs are employed. The outer prongs 65 and 66 are of the same length and depend from the ends of the head-piece 67, their lower ends being enlarged, as at 68, and provided with shoulders 69, designed to cooperate with the corresponding inclined edges of the intermediate prong 71, for the purpose already explained. It will be readily observed that the only difference between the two wedges in Figs. 21 and 22 resides in the fact that the intermediate prong of the form shown in Fig. 21 extends beyond or beneath the termination of the outer prongs 65 and 66, while in Fig. 22 the intermediate prong 71 terminates in the same length as the outer prongs 65 and 66.

In Fig. 23 there is shown a somewhat-different form of wedge than any of the wedges hereinbefore described in that the wedge is provided with longitudinal corrugations, as shown. This form of wedge is otherwise very similar to the form of wedge illustrated in Fig. 9; but it is obvious that the other forms of wedges hereinbefore described may be corrugated in a manner similar to the form of wedge illustrated in Fig. 23.

The front and rear faces of any or all of the wedges may obviously be formed differently, as is shownin Fig. 24, wherein the view a embraced in the said figure demonstrates that the wedge may have an oval shape, which is manifestly different from the shape clearly understood by reference to b embraced in the same figure.

Fig. 25 embraces two views e and f, illustrating views of any or all of the wedgesfrom the edge, showing that the front and rear edges of each or all of the wedges may converge downwardly from the top to the lower end and that the front and rear edges, as shown in view e, may be substantially par-l allel throughout the greater portion of their length, converging at the lower portion.

Of course it is desired to always drive the wedge into avwooden handle or other article, so that the upper face of the head portion of the former will usually lie flush with the outer surface of the latter, and in some cases it may be well to form the upper face of the head of the wedge with a cavity or the like 72, as shown in the view e of Fig. 25, into which may be fitted a nail-punch or the like for the purpose of assisting in locating the upper surface of the wedge, as stated, or to countersink the same, as well understood.

In Fig. 26 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular form the wedge is well adapted to use in connection with railroad-rails, the wedge taking the place of the ordinary spike employed for securing rails upon ties. It is IIO thought unnecessary to illustrate a rail or tie for the urpose of showing the application of the wecfge in this connection, for it seems obvious that the ap lication of the wedge in this connection will Ee fully understood by the description relating thereto. In this form the wedge is provided with a head portion 73, having the outer prongs 74 and 75 depending from near the ends of the head, there eing an intermediate prong 76, having an enlarged arrow-sha ed portion 77, resulting in the oppositelyisposed projecting shoulders 78 and the sharp point or edge 79. It will be seen that the inner and outer edges of the outer prongs are inclined and that they taper downwardly, the projecting shoulders 78 of the intermediate prong cooperating with the said inclined or tapering portions IIS IZO

for the purpose explained in connection with the other forms of wedge. Of course in this form of wedge it is not the purpose to spread the wooden iibers of a handle against the inner Walls of the bore or eye of a tool, but it is the purpose to anchor the wedge against accidenta displacement with relation to its seat when driven into a tie. (Not shown.) It lwill therefore be understood that when this form of wedge is driven into a tie, the under surface 8O of the head 7 3 is designed to fit over the lower flange of the rail, (not shoWn,) the downwardly-projecting or enlarged portion 81 of the head 7 3 resting upon the upper surface of the tie.

In Fig. 27 will be found a form of wedge wherein the outer prongs 82 and 83 are of different formation than the prongs hereinbefore described and arranged with relation to the head-piece 84 in such manner as to extend beyond the front and rear faces thereof, both of said prongs tapering downwardly from all sides to a point 85. The intermediate prong 86 of this form of wedge has its lower end formed with an arrow-shaped enlargement 87, resulting in the oppositelydisposed shoulders 88, which cooperate with the corresponding inclined portions of the outer prongs, as shown.

It will thus be seen that in'all forms of the wedges herein described the fiber of the wooden handle or other article is spread apart as the wedge enters the same and that the tapering or inclined portions of the different prongs tend not only to force the liber of the wood inwardly and outwardly, but that some of the inclined or tapering portions cooperate with corresponding ofl'set or projecting portions for creating a binding effect therebetween upon the wooden fibers, so as to anchor the wedge in position against accidental displacement, and while various forms of wedges have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herein it should be understood that it is our intention to protect all these forms through the medium of broad or generic terms, the various forms being shown herein particularly that some of the various changes or modifications contemplated will be shown upon the face of the patent, it being understood, however, that still further modifications and changes may be resortedto Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is- 1. A wedge, including a head portion, prongs associated therewith, one of the inclined portion for cooperation with the ortions. portion, a

aforesaid shoulders and inclined 2. A wedge, including a hea prong arranged at each end of the head portion, and another prong associated withthe head portion and arranged intermediate the end prongs and terminating short of the latter, the prongs being provided with. shoulders and inclined portions, the shoulders and inclined portions coperating with each other for creating a binding effect upon the material passed between them.

3. A wedge, including a head portion, prongs, associated therewith, the intermediate prong terminating short of the outer prongs and provided with an enlargement having shoulders and inclined portions, the outer prongs having shoulders and inclined portions for cooperation with the inclined portions and shoulders of the intermediate prong.

4. A wedge, including a head portion and prongs associated therewith, the intermediate prong terminating short of the outer prongs and provided with an enlargement at its lower extremity, the enlargement having inclined portions and oppositely-disposed shoulders, the outer prongs each having a portion of its inner face inclined and its lower end provided with a shoulder, the shoulders of the outer prongs coperating with the inclined portions ofthe enlargement of the intermediate prongand the shoulders ofthe latter coperatingtwit'h the inclined portions ofthe outer prongs.

5. A wedge, including a head portion and prongs associated therewith, the intermediate prong terminating short of the outer prongs and provided with an enlargement at its lower extremity, the enlargement having inclined portions and oppositely-disposed shoulders, the outer prongs each having a portion of its inner face inclined above the aforesaid shoulders, the lower ends of the outer prongs being provided With a shoulder arranged opposite the inclined portions of the said enlargement.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY E. DEN ISON. HENRY H. BLAKE. Witnesses:

DELIA D. CUYKENDALL, GEORGE H. LEONARD.

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